“The biggest accomplice of violence is the silence, a silence which every year kills or causes permanent disability more than diseases or accidents,” Palombo said in a statement announcing his “Life Can Be a Fairytale, If You Break the Silence” campaign. “Domestic violence is a social cancer that knows no boundaries nor social status, it can affect anyone, whether you’re an ordinary person or a celebrity. To defeat him you need to use the antidote of culture by educating and raising awareness on Respect and Equality.”

The photos show each of the women sporting bloody, brutal bruises, a shocking sight compared with their usually meticulous appearance.

Palombo is known for creating bold, often shocking art; last year, the activist created a photo series depicting various Disney princesses with disabilities in an effort to raise awareness for the plight of disabled people all over the world.